September 8, 2011 3:25 PM
We Are Catholic - youth video
Love this and had to pass it on. I hope my beloved evangelical readers will forgive this burst of Catholic youth exuberance, which I got from a 19-year-old friend of mine, Victoria:
Posted in Catholicism | Permalink
Comments
Oh, this was made by an Alaskan blogger ~ so proud!
Posted by: Allison Howell | September 8, 2011 4:42 PM
Barbara, it is interesting to me, a long-time "Evangelical" Christian, a pastor's wife for more than 40 years, a lover of Jesus Christ my Savior and Lord, part of the body of Christ, etc.... that so many of the scriptures and descriptions in this video fit ME, and many of my Christian family. It is not just Catholics who believe in and love and serve the Lord Jesus... He loves and saves and blesses all who come to Him... John 1:12 "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name". I am so thankful He loves and accepts me.
Posted by: Alice Tucker | September 8, 2011 9:29 PM
Dear Alice - My heart is so full to know that you were able to identify with this. I hoped not to offend my evangelical friends, but as a 20 year evangelical who recently discovered the Catholic roots of my faith, I am so excited by the fulfillment I have found - yet a bit worried that people will find offense. Thank you so much for expressing the unity I feel.
Posted by: Barbara | September 8, 2011 9:36 PM
Wonderful video, showing the richness and true diversity of the universal Church. What's missing from the Evangelical life in Christ is the sacramental life which feeds our joy and charity.
We all need to love, to struggle to love, to struggle to know Him more every day, to trust Him, to grow in humility, and child-like trust and filiation. He is Our Father. We need to spread His joy to the farthest and nearest reaches of the earth every day, with all our heart, soul, mind, strength. There is so much to the Catholic faith and it's my defect and failure that is at fault. But I begin again every day, in trust, with a supernatural outlook, knowing He loves me and every soul.
Posted by: Fellow Christian | September 9, 2011 6:59 AM
This made me cry, it was so beautiful and just..what I needed to hear right now.
Thank you.
Posted by: Sue from Buffalo | September 9, 2011 10:17 AM
Thank you, Barbara....
Fellow Christian, while I know there are parts of the Catholic faith and tradition which are not part of many evangelical congregations (And I do have and love many Catholic friends), I do not feel that I am "missing" anything. ( There are many different aspects of evangelical Christians, and I know some are possibly missing out. We are, after all, human). The power of the Holy Spirit and the Joy of Jesus Christ are a definite part of my life. When I read and study His Scripture, I learn more of Him and love Him more. My joy is full in Christ. When I meet with Him in prayer and communion, I know His sweet power and joy. He has blessed me over and over and over again... He has led me through a time of deep depression and met my needs. He is with me and I am fulfilled in HIM! I don't mean to offend you, but I want you to know that even non-Catholics can experience fullness of joy in Jesus!
Posted by: Alice Tucker | September 9, 2011 9:33 PM
Alice, you may not yet realize what you miss by not having the Sacraments, and the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.
And it's not a matter of "feeling" what you miss! Too many people are led around by their "feelings."
I KNOW Him through the Eucharist.
Your joy will be complete when you are in heaven.
Posted by: Fellow Christian | September 10, 2011 8:28 AM
Most errors, and I think all heresies, are at bottom the result of "separating" something that is not separable: Separating the Persons of the Trinity in one way or another; denying Jesus's divinity, separating Jesus' divinity from His humanity, separating His mind from His will; treating our bodies separate from our soul; treating our soul as good and our body (or all natural matter) as bad; treating the natural separate from the supernatural; denying the existence of the supernatural altogether; treating the "visible" from "invisible"; and pretending that the invisible Church exists, but denying the visible Church. Etc etc.
Catholic thinkers for over 2000 years have thought through these matters, and each successive generation of Catholics are able to stand on the shoulders of the preceding generation.
We struggle, we have personal failures, but we struggle in the Church toward Him. We don't break off and form new ideas and even new "churches", ignorant of the mistakes and heresies of the past. Protestants however do this again and again and again, many times not realizing what heresies they are committing.
Posted by: Fellow Christian | September 10, 2011 10:13 AM
Whew! Fellow Christian... I certainly didn't intend to stir up such a confusion. I don't know where you got your knowledge of protestants (and, I didn't use that word, but evangelical), but be assured all protestants do not know the Lord. In the same way, I'm sure all Catholics do not know the Lord. (I've met many who claim to be Catholic but their lives do not reflect the fruit of the Spirit). It is not my intention to judge another person's relationship to Almighty God. I only want to suggest that a person can have a beautiful and joyful relationship with Jesus Christ and be a part of a body of believers that worships God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, recognizing that salvation is only by the blood of Jesus. And, as I read the Holy Scriptures, I know Him better and better. He gives me His peace. I can have wonderful fellowship with others who know Him, too. I pray God's blessings on you....
Posted by: Alice Tucker | September 10, 2011 3:35 PM
Alice, What are the substantial differences between Protestants and Evangelicals? How widely understood and stable are these differences?
Yes, we all need to know Him, love Him, and serve Him with our lives, not just with our mouth or heart.
The Holy Mass is "substantially" different from any Protestant or Evangelical "service" because Jesus is made present "substantially" in he Eucharist. The words essence and substance here are used in a very exacting sense. The essence of the host is changed at each Mass, though the "accidents" of bread remain.
Posted by: Fellow Christian | September 11, 2011 11:08 AM
I'm not so great at putting my thoughts into words accurately, so I hope this comes out the right way. Fellow Christian, your words are a bit hurtful. I love and respect my Catholic brothers and sisters. I choose an Evangelical church. Does that make my relationship with God less than yours becuase of certain sacraments? To you maybe, but not to myself. I love that Barbara shares her faith and experiences in this blog, it's why I keep coming back. I felt such hope in watching the video she shared. Not because they were Catholic youth, but because they were youth with a heart for Jesus. Isn't that what matters? I hope my words do not come across as harsh, just a bit disappionted that you seem to keep pushing the issue of Evangelicals or Protestants not knowing God like you do.
Posted by: April C. | September 11, 2011 6:13 PM
Fellow Christian... I would love to tell you the difference between "Protestant"and "Evangelical". I wish I had more space... would you be open to email? I think Barbara would be willing to give you my email address.
A short description, with love: a person can be a Protestant and not be evangelical. There are many so-called mainline Protestant churches that deny the deity of Jesus Christ! That is hard to believe, since most began with that strong belief. Over years, they have tried to appeal to many people, and have 'watered down' the Gospel! An Evangelical church believes that Jesus Christ is God, was born of a virgin, was crucified to pay the penalty for our sin, and rose again the third day. This is central to the Biblical Gospel. Now, there are many different ways that Evangelicals worship and express their faith. Many of these differences are due to differences in how churches are governed... called "polity". And, some people are more or less 'emotional' than others...just as individuals are more or less 'emotional' in personality. BUT... the main thing is a solid belief in the deity of Jesus Christ and His resurrection. The Christian who really loves Him will trust Him fully for all things, knowing HE is in control. AND, this Christian will desire to live a life of obedience to His will. This leads to peace.
As I said, this is a BRIEF explanation. I hope you can get my email address and we can continue our dialogue. There are many people who are not Catholic who really do love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ. I'm one of them!
Posted by: Alice Tucker | September 12, 2011 7:57 PM
No hurt or harshness intended. But I wouldn't be seeking or telling the truth if I simply said "oh we are all the same if we love Jesus in our own way" or some sort of drivel like that.
The sacraments are different and special and irreplaceable and that is the simple and beautiful truth. No harshness but also no equivocation for people's sensibilities.
Posted by: Fellow Christian | September 13, 2011 8:30 PM
